Questions

Is there a decile 'cut-off' point for AFP interviews?

We will not triage on decile score before shortlisting. However, we will use the decile score as one of our measures in the shortlisting process along with other degrees, presentations, publications and prizes etc. We would expect you to not have failed any exams as we are looking for candidates that can obtain their foundation competencies in less time than their peers (allowing them the time to do the research project).

Is there a chance to get in touch with the current Severn AFP F2s?

We can put you in touch with some of last year’s and this year’s AFP trainees

The research posts in Severn are described as ‘unbundled’ from the clinical posts. Does this mean academic foundation doctors are able to design their own mix of rotations, subject to competition with others?

No it means that there will be a list of clinical rotations and a list of academic research project areas and the candidate will rank each separately. This means that we will be better able to match the research opportunities to the best candidates each year rather than potentially shoe-horning them into fixed programme choices. Thus the best candidates will get the first choice of clinical rotation and project area. It also allows us to accommodate year by year fluctuations in the number of our best candidates wanting to do research in each discipline so for example we might have 3 of our best candidates want to do Psychiatry and none doing Surgery (or vice versa) whereas before we had to have someone in each research area because the clinical job was associated with a specific research project.

I am concerned that a situation could arise where all those accepted into the scheme are chasing the same posts and therefore some could end up with an academic rotation they don't desire

The offers will be made of a clinical rotation and an academic project area. These will be the best match that we can make, based on the candidates’ performance. For the first time we will have more academic slots than we will have candidates, as each project area has indicated the maximum numbers of AFPs that they can accommodate. This means that we will be able to offer candidates programmes that more closely match their interests. Of course this will never be perfect but we believe that it will be better than before – although even under the old system, most candidates got offered programmes that were in ranked in their top 3 choices.

I understand that we have two days to accept or reject the academic offer. Would we know to which academic jobs we were to be allocated within this time?

Absolutely - and you are completely at liberty to decline if the post does not suit your preferences.

Are the clinical F2 rotations purely in Bristol hospitals or are there opportunities to select a GP rotation in this year? I am interested in the Primary Health Care research area and would therefore be keen to select this.

Many of the F2 placements include GP and we have specific research opportunities there too. If you have more queries specific to an area of research you should contact the respective programme lead (Programme Descriptions webpage).

Is each AFP rotation specifically linked to an academic programme area or should I apply for a rotation (e.g. AFP1) and then choose which area I would like to do the academic 4 months in (eg Paediatrics or Primary Healthcare)?

On application you will rank the clinical rotations in order of preference. If you are invited for interview you will rank your academic project preferences. Successful candidates will then be matched to their highest ranking available rotation/academic project based on their performance. This unbundling of the academic projects from the clinical rotations should enable us to better accommodate individual preferences by increasing our flexibility.

I understand that some foundation schools offer academic foundation posts which are not tied to a specialty, but other units of application offer academic foundation posts which have set themes, such as Neurology, Haematology, or Surgery. Does the Severn AFP offer more of the former programme structure or would applicants be applying for more concrete speciality posts?

We have a wide mix of potential project areas. Some are ‘tied’ to specialities like Paediatrics or Psychiatry or GP. Others like Medical Physiology/Pharmacology and Public Health/Clinical Epidemiology can host projects that are applicable to many different specialities depending on the successful candidates area of interest(see Programme Descriptions webpage). However, it should be noted that even the project areas that appear to be tied to a clinical speciality can host projects that are of broad interest, ie AFPs in GP doing projects on ovarian cancer or microbiology. So we encourage candidates to think broadly when making their choices.

How is the field of research allocated and will you know the field of your research when you are given a job offer?

You will be asked to rank the project areas at the time of shortlisting for interview. If successful you will then be matched to (and offered) your nearest preference for clinical rotation and academic project. Your specific project will be identified once you have started on the AFP rotations in discussion with the lead for your academic discipline.

I am unsure about how the rotations are allocated. Are both the F1 and F2 years based in departments of hospitals in the same city as the research programme, eg Bristol or are they spread out around the district general hospitals at any point?

The clinical rotations are within Bristol either at University Hospitals Bristol or North Bristol NHS Trusts. You will be asked to rank the clinical rotations on application - they will be clear on the website. If short listed for interview you will also be asked to separately rank the research project areas. After the interviews the successful candidates will be offered the best available match to their choice of clinical rotation and academic post.

Who should I talk to about the Peninsula AFPs?

Do the teaching sessions on the timetable contribute to the 60 hours of teaching we have to attend to complete the requirements for FY2?

Yes, they count at both Trusts and this is why we take a note of attendance. However, you should have a mix of local trust and regional training sessions as well as the academic on your eportfolio. We have had the content of the teaching approved by the Educational Strategy Lead and the Foundation School Director and the component of the teaching have been mapped onto the national core competencies required for AFPs. You should have a balanced portfolio of foundation teaching with a solid base of clinical teaching sessions supplemented with the academic teaching. This should take you well over the 60 hour minimum standard.

Do I need to give feedback from the teaching sessions?

We solicit feedback from AF2s on the whole teaching programme at the end of the sessions.

Teaching and Learning for Health Care Professionals

By Teaching and Learning for Health Care Professionals (TLHP).

Faculty of Health Sciences.

Four half day sessions.

Session 1: Designing and planning your teaching

Update on trends in medical education

Basic principles of planning your teaching

Defining learning outcomes

Designing content

Evaluating your teaching

Session 2: Facilitating small group learning

Role of the educator

Facilitation skills

Dealing with diversity

Small group techniques

Designing group activities

Creating resources

Session 3: Giving effective feedback

Purpose of feedback

Formative versus summative assessment

Developing learner competency

Role and responsibility of the educator

Improving learner performance

Stimulating critical reflection

Models and framework for feedback provision

Session 4: Teaching and learning in the workplace

Exploring the workplace as a learning environment

Benefits and challenges

Collaborative practice and learning

Role and responsibility of the educator

Supporting/supervising the learner

Teaching with patients

Teaching professionalism

Models for teaching when time is limited

As the programme is mapped to the HEA, there is potential for the trainees to apply for Assistant fellow of the HEA (AFHEA) at a one off cost of £200. They do have to write 2 x 750 word account of their development as a teacher.

As this programme replicates the teaching programme in the academies, this means your trainees can access the equivalent sessions if they miss the dates you have set. They would book through Eventbrite.